(Selva - The Trondheim fjord / 12 meters / 3.20.2009)

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Subclass: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Pleocyemata

Infraorder: Brachyura

Family: Portunidae

Scientific name: Liocarcinus pusillus

 

Norwegian: liten svømmekrabbe

Distribution: This tiny crab is common along the coast of Norway, as far north as Lofoten. It prefers gravel or stony substrate. It has been registered from the intertidal zone and down to 100 meters depth.

Characteristics: This colorful crab is easily overlooked, as the width of the carapace usually is less than 2 cm. It comes in a wide range of colors, but can be distinguished from similar species by the slightly convex frontal margin between the eyes. It has three clearly visible, but gentle lobes. It is also known as Polybius pusillus.

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